OKC Thunder: Free throws help Lakers hold off Thunder in Game 3

LOS ANGELES — Heading into Game 3 on Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers said nothing major was needed to overcome a heartbreaking loss two nights earlier against the Thunder that put them down 2-0 in the series.

Kendrick Perkins (5) defends against Los Angeles' Andrew Bynum (17) during Game 3 in the second round of the NBA basketball playoffs between the L.A. Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, May 18, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

The Lakers wound up simply returning the heartache to OKC with a comeback victory of their own.

In Game 2, the Lakers led by seven with 2:08 remaining, but was outscored 9-0 the rest of the way in a 77-75 loss at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

In Game 3, the Thunder led by five with 2:54 remaining, but was outscored 12-4 the rest of the way in a 99-96 loss at Staples Center.

Game 4 will be Saturday at 9:40 p.m., also at Staples Center.

In handing OKC its first loss of the playoffs, all the Lakers had to do was toe the free-throw line and make open 15-footers.

"You're not going to get a better look than a free throw against these guys," Lakers coach Mike Brown said.

The biggest free throws were two that never came for the Thunder when forward Kevin Durant appeared to be fouled while trying to follow up on an offensive rebound with 12.9 seconds left and the Thunder trailing 95-94.

OKC was called for 30 fouls and the Lakers for 22.

Half of Kobe Bryant's game-high 36 points came at the line, where he went 18 for 18, including six free throws in the final 1:09.

Durant led the Thunder with 31 points while Russell Westbrook and James Harden scored 21 each.

OKC took a 68-61 lead with 3:24 left in the third quarter on a running 14-foot bank shot from Durant while going out of bounds along the left baseline.